Subject: RELIGION
Introduction
Through God’s Word each individual child is brought to realize:
I. The sinfulness of man
A. Man was created in the image of God: perfect and holy
B. Man became a sinner deserving eternal damnation
C. Man, in no way, can save himself
II. The Grace of God
A. God has established salvation for all
1. God loves the undeserving sinner and wants all to be saved
2. He accomplished man’s salvation by sending His Son Jesus Christ to atone for man’s sins.
3. By His obedient life and innocent death in man’s stead, Christ redeemed the world from sin, death, and hell.
4. God makes this redemption man’s own by the working of the Holy Spirit through the Means of Grace.
B. Man’s life in his time of grace
1. God preserves man by providing all he needs for body and life.
2. God protects man from all harm and danger.
3. God causes all things to work together for the believer’s good.
III. The Response of a Christian
A. The Christian recognizes himself as a child of God.
B. The Christian matures in faith through the regular use of the Word and Sacrament.
C. The Christian gives his life gladly in service to Christ and to his church.
D. The Christian conforms his life to the law of God out of faith and love towards Christ.
E. The Christian turns daily to God in prayer.
F. The Christian witnesses for Christ in his daily life.
I. CATECHISM
A. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
1. To impart a knowledge of the chief truths of God’s Word.
2. To reinforce the students in their Christian convictions and attitudes.
3. To lead the students to live a God-pleasing life, which is the fruit of faith.
4. To strengthen and keep them in this faith until their end.
B. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To study systematically the basic Christian Doctrines as outlined in Luther’s Small Catechism.
2. To memorize and understand the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism.
3. To memorize and understand the table of duties.
4. To memorize and understand selected Bible passages.
5. To know the meaning of a selected vocabulary considered for understanding Christian Doctrine.
6. To be able to apply this knowledge of Christian truths and doctrines in everyday life.
II. BIBLE HISTORY
A. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
1. To lead the child to know his God as He reveals Himself as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.
2. To lead the child to know the Law which shows him that by nature he is a sinner deserving eternal damnation.
3. To lead the child to know the Gospel which shows him that Jesus is his only Savior.
4. To lead the child to live a God-pleasing life, which is a fruit of faith.
B. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To make the Bible story a living experience for the pupil, applicable to life.
2. To show the guiding hand of God in the lives of individuals and nations.
3. To facilitate the teachings of doctrines of the Bible as they are set forth in Luther’s Small Catechism.
4. To introduce the chronological order of the plan of salvation from creation through the establishment of the New Testament church.
5. To acquaint the pupils with the external arrangement of the Bible.
6. To acquaint the pupils with the life and customs of the people of Bible times.
7. To familiarize the pupils with the geography of the Bible lands.
8. To lead the pupils into the language of the Bible.
III. HYMNOLOGY
A. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
To learn that hymns and chorales from Christian Worship are an expression of God’s Word.
B. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To familiarize the child with the historical background of hymns.
2. To lead the child to understand the Scriptural truths expressed in the hymns.
3. To foster an appreciation for a more meaningful use of the musical heritage of our Lutheran church.
4. To have the child memorize selected hymns.
5. To help the child sing hymns with confidence and conviction.
6. To afford a ready source of comfort, hope, and strength to the child in the trials of life, especially in the hour of death.
7. To familiarize the child with the melody so that he can sing with joy and ease.
IV. CONFIRMED INSTRUCTION CLASS
A. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
1. To give students knowledge of the basic teachings of Christianity, as they are clearly taught and presented, as God reveals them, in the Holy Scriptures.
2. To teach students the Lutheran faith, using Luther’s Small Catechism as a study guide.
3. To prepare students for reception of the Lord’s Supper and responsible church membership.
4. To give students an overview of church history, emphasizing how God’s plan of salvation unfolded to the person of Jesus Christ and how the church through the age has proclaimed the good news and shared its faith.
5. To help students apply their faith to real life situations.
6. To develop in students skills to study and learn the Holy Scriptures in order to make them a part of their daily lives.
B. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
To achieve the purpose described above, we will make us of:
1. Encouraging “hands on” investigation and application of the truths of Scripture.
2. Memorization of key Bible passages and the six chief parts of the Catechism in order to develop a storehouse of knowledge for the student.
3. The use of workbooks, study guides, devotional work texts, and Bible studies to guide the students in their learning and retention.
4. The use of video tapes, projects, skits, and essays to aid in applying the truths of Scripture to every day life.
C. THE TWO YEAR ROTATING CURRICULUM
YEAR #1
1. Overview of the entire Catechism with an emphasis on the Creed, the Sacraments, the Keys and Confession, and Prayer.
a. “Hands on study and discovery of what the Bible says.
b. Assigned memory work of Bible passages and the chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism.
c. The use of The Catechism Workbook Series 1 as the major source of review and reinforcement exercises.
d. The use of video segments to make real life applications of Christian teaching in the living of the Christian life.
2. Overview of church history from Pentecost to the Lutheran settlements.
Using a work text format, this course helps the students to see God’s hand in the history of His church, as the good news of Jesus spreads throughout the world.
3. Bible study skills and personal devotions.
Using a Bible study guide and work text format, the students will develop not only study skills for researching Scriptural truths, but also the students gain understanding of how the Word of God fits into their daily lives.
4. Christian values and Christian decision making.
Using Bible study guides as the basis for discussion, the students practice peer learning as they discuss what their Christian faith means to them and how it has changed their attitude and outlook on life and added meaning and purpose to their lives.
YEAR #2
1. Overview of the Catechism with an emphasis on the Introduction, the Ten Commandments, and the Creed.
a. “Hands on” study and discovery of what the Bible says.
b. Assigned memory work of Bible passages and the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism.
c. Using The Catechism Workbook Series 2 as the chief source of review and reinforcement exercises.
d. Using video segments to make real life applications of Christian teaching to the living of the Christian life.
2. History of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The use of a textbook and discussion worksheets, as well as, assigned projects and essays to help the students learn of their rich Lutheran heritage of our Synod, as well as, to see how the hand of God has worked in and through our Synod to carry out His saving message around the world.
3. Orientation to the local congregation.
a. An overview of the history, purpose, and organization of Gethsemane.
b. A study of personal stewardship and evangelism to help the student see how they are to use their gifts to involve themselves in the works of the Lord as it is carried out at Gethsemane.
c. The use of role playing to practice sharing the Christian faith.
4. A study of the cults and the occult.
a. Using a work text format, the students are led into a study of the threats to their faith, posed by the cults and the occult.
Introduction
Through God’s Word each individual child is brought to realize:
I. The sinfulness of man
A. Man was created in the image of God: perfect and holy
B. Man became a sinner deserving eternal damnation
C. Man, in no way, can save himself
II. The Grace of God
A. God has established salvation for all
1. God loves the undeserving sinner and wants all to be saved
2. He accomplished man’s salvation by sending His Son Jesus Christ to atone for man’s sins.
3. By His obedient life and innocent death in man’s stead, Christ redeemed the world from sin, death, and hell.
4. God makes this redemption man’s own by the working of the Holy Spirit through the Means of Grace.
B. Man’s life in his time of grace
1. God preserves man by providing all he needs for body and life.
2. God protects man from all harm and danger.
3. God causes all things to work together for the believer’s good.
III. The Response of a Christian
A. The Christian recognizes himself as a child of God.
B. The Christian matures in faith through the regular use of the Word and Sacrament.
C. The Christian gives his life gladly in service to Christ and to his church.
D. The Christian conforms his life to the law of God out of faith and love towards Christ.
E. The Christian turns daily to God in prayer.
F. The Christian witnesses for Christ in his daily life.
I. CATECHISM
A. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
1. To impart a knowledge of the chief truths of God’s Word.
2. To reinforce the students in their Christian convictions and attitudes.
3. To lead the students to live a God-pleasing life, which is the fruit of faith.
4. To strengthen and keep them in this faith until their end.
B. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To study systematically the basic Christian Doctrines as outlined in Luther’s Small Catechism.
2. To memorize and understand the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism.
3. To memorize and understand the table of duties.
4. To memorize and understand selected Bible passages.
5. To know the meaning of a selected vocabulary considered for understanding Christian Doctrine.
6. To be able to apply this knowledge of Christian truths and doctrines in everyday life.
II. BIBLE HISTORY
A. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
1. To lead the child to know his God as He reveals Himself as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.
2. To lead the child to know the Law which shows him that by nature he is a sinner deserving eternal damnation.
3. To lead the child to know the Gospel which shows him that Jesus is his only Savior.
4. To lead the child to live a God-pleasing life, which is a fruit of faith.
B. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To make the Bible story a living experience for the pupil, applicable to life.
2. To show the guiding hand of God in the lives of individuals and nations.
3. To facilitate the teachings of doctrines of the Bible as they are set forth in Luther’s Small Catechism.
4. To introduce the chronological order of the plan of salvation from creation through the establishment of the New Testament church.
5. To acquaint the pupils with the external arrangement of the Bible.
6. To acquaint the pupils with the life and customs of the people of Bible times.
7. To familiarize the pupils with the geography of the Bible lands.
8. To lead the pupils into the language of the Bible.
III. HYMNOLOGY
A. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
To learn that hymns and chorales from Christian Worship are an expression of God’s Word.
B. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To familiarize the child with the historical background of hymns.
2. To lead the child to understand the Scriptural truths expressed in the hymns.
3. To foster an appreciation for a more meaningful use of the musical heritage of our Lutheran church.
4. To have the child memorize selected hymns.
5. To help the child sing hymns with confidence and conviction.
6. To afford a ready source of comfort, hope, and strength to the child in the trials of life, especially in the hour of death.
7. To familiarize the child with the melody so that he can sing with joy and ease.
IV. CONFIRMED INSTRUCTION CLASS
A. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
1. To give students knowledge of the basic teachings of Christianity, as they are clearly taught and presented, as God reveals them, in the Holy Scriptures.
2. To teach students the Lutheran faith, using Luther’s Small Catechism as a study guide.
3. To prepare students for reception of the Lord’s Supper and responsible church membership.
4. To give students an overview of church history, emphasizing how God’s plan of salvation unfolded to the person of Jesus Christ and how the church through the age has proclaimed the good news and shared its faith.
5. To help students apply their faith to real life situations.
6. To develop in students skills to study and learn the Holy Scriptures in order to make them a part of their daily lives.
B. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
To achieve the purpose described above, we will make us of:
1. Encouraging “hands on” investigation and application of the truths of Scripture.
2. Memorization of key Bible passages and the six chief parts of the Catechism in order to develop a storehouse of knowledge for the student.
3. The use of workbooks, study guides, devotional work texts, and Bible studies to guide the students in their learning and retention.
4. The use of video tapes, projects, skits, and essays to aid in applying the truths of Scripture to every day life.
C. THE TWO YEAR ROTATING CURRICULUM
YEAR #1
1. Overview of the entire Catechism with an emphasis on the Creed, the Sacraments, the Keys and Confession, and Prayer.
a. “Hands on study and discovery of what the Bible says.
b. Assigned memory work of Bible passages and the chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism.
c. The use of The Catechism Workbook Series 1 as the major source of review and reinforcement exercises.
d. The use of video segments to make real life applications of Christian teaching in the living of the Christian life.
2. Overview of church history from Pentecost to the Lutheran settlements.
Using a work text format, this course helps the students to see God’s hand in the history of His church, as the good news of Jesus spreads throughout the world.
3. Bible study skills and personal devotions.
Using a Bible study guide and work text format, the students will develop not only study skills for researching Scriptural truths, but also the students gain understanding of how the Word of God fits into their daily lives.
4. Christian values and Christian decision making.
Using Bible study guides as the basis for discussion, the students practice peer learning as they discuss what their Christian faith means to them and how it has changed their attitude and outlook on life and added meaning and purpose to their lives.
YEAR #2
1. Overview of the Catechism with an emphasis on the Introduction, the Ten Commandments, and the Creed.
a. “Hands on” study and discovery of what the Bible says.
b. Assigned memory work of Bible passages and the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism.
c. Using The Catechism Workbook Series 2 as the chief source of review and reinforcement exercises.
d. Using video segments to make real life applications of Christian teaching to the living of the Christian life.
2. History of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The use of a textbook and discussion worksheets, as well as, assigned projects and essays to help the students learn of their rich Lutheran heritage of our Synod, as well as, to see how the hand of God has worked in and through our Synod to carry out His saving message around the world.
3. Orientation to the local congregation.
a. An overview of the history, purpose, and organization of Gethsemane.
b. A study of personal stewardship and evangelism to help the student see how they are to use their gifts to involve themselves in the works of the Lord as it is carried out at Gethsemane.
c. The use of role playing to practice sharing the Christian faith.
4. A study of the cults and the occult.
a. Using a work text format, the students are led into a study of the threats to their faith, posed by the cults and the occult.